Feudal Society During the Edo Period

Unifying The Land P. 284

Social Status & Structure With the Daimyo’s under the control of the Shogun, the only other issues was the people Social structure was setup similar to that of Medieval Europe or Aztec Society: A rigid social hierarchy based on elitism and heredity.

Emperor Mostly a figure head during Edo Society Even though at the top of the Hierarchy had very little actual power

Shogun Japanese Military Leader & actual ruler of Japan During Edo Japan the most well know Shogun was Tokugawa Ieyasu

Daimyo Wealthy and powerful land owners Land ownership was passed down to children Similar to a Lord in Renn. Europe.

Samurai Professional paid warriors of the military equivalent to Knights in Europe Served either the Shogun or Daimyo Were forbidden from being involved in trade or business Followed a Samurai code that dictated how they lived their lives

Peasants/Farmers/Fishers Important because they produced what everyone needed to survive Considered important because they produced food that sustained society Lived under many restrictions – such as not being able to leave their district

Artisans Highly skilled artists High quality paper, clocks, pans, porcelains, containers, etc. Because they relied on Farmers and others for resources, they were lower in the Hierarchy

Merchants Brought items from artisans to trade or sell At the bottom because they did not actually produce what they sold Acted as Bankers

Outcasts /Eta People shunned by other classes Usually worked with death, like butchers, tanners or grave diggers Usually those with mental or physical disabilities Lived apart from the rest of society

Hinin “Non-Humans” Lived in specific parts of cities Made up of people expelled from other groups Killing a Hinin not considered murder Meet some needs by entertaining

Women Always subservient to men Duties depended on class they were born into Could not own property

Venn Diagram Compare the Feudal Hierarchy of Japan to that of Medieval Europe and Aztec society. What similarities and differences do you see between these hierarchies?